Roscosmos discusses ISS withdrawal strategy and new space station for mid-2020swritten by Katya Pavlushchenko April 30, 2021Recently, Russian authorities began talking about a potential withdrawal from the International Space Station (ISS) project in 2025. In place of ISS, the Russian space industry would gain ROSS – a new orbital station that’s name stands for Russian Orbital Service Station. According to Roscosmos representatives, the withdrawal from the ISS will be gradual, which means that for some time the ISS and ROSS will work in space in parallel. At the same time, Russia and China have plans to build a lunar space station together.
I am skeptical that ROSS will happen (due to lack of proper funding), but I hope they can make it a reality. It would be cool to have a 3rd space stations in orbit at the same time, and it being in polar orbit as well.
Quote from: Lars-J on 04/30/2021 08:59 pmI am skeptical that ROSS will happen (due to lack of proper funding), but I hope they can make it a reality. It would be cool to have a 3rd space stations in orbit at the same time, and it being in polar orbit as well. Maintaining a station in polar orbit seems like a stretch for Russia. From what I know about Soyuz, it can't put more than six tons or so into polar orbit. That seriously limits their ability to send cargo and crew in a progress/soyuz. And surely even Russia realises its a bit optimistic to relay on chainging their logistics flights from the Soyuz 2 to Soyuz 5 or Angara in the next four years.
Quote from: Ruaridhmc on 04/30/2021 09:23 pmQuote from: Lars-J on 04/30/2021 08:59 pmI am skeptical that ROSS will happen (due to lack of proper funding), but I hope they can make it a reality. It would be cool to have a 3rd space stations in orbit at the same time, and it being in polar orbit as well. Maintaining a station in polar orbit seems like a stretch for Russia. From what I know about Soyuz, it can't put more than six tons or so into polar orbit. That seriously limits their ability to send cargo and crew in a progress/soyuz. And surely even Russia realises its a bit optimistic to relay on chainging their logistics flights from the Soyuz 2 to Soyuz 5 or Angara in the next four years.According to the article, they would be using a different variant of the Soyuz launcher for these polar flights - (Soyuz 2.1b instead of Soyuz-FG, which has a 1.3t increased capacity to ISS orbit) - so it would likely be doable but with tight margins. But yes, the actual benefit of a polar station is questionable indeed, so it might not be worth the upgrades to fully human-rate the Soyuz 2.1b.
First there was OPSEK, and now there is ROSS. Something tells me that there will be another brilliant idea before they deliver anything to orbit.
The whole "independent Russian space station" scenario feels very, very much like a play by Roscosmos to force NASA to pay for keeping the Russian segment of the International Space Station going. A drop-in replacement for the loss of Soyuz seat money, if you will.
...I don't understand what Russia is hoping to accomplish with ISS withdrawal, it seems like even their most optimistic scenarios would leave their capabilities diminished.
Even at this stage the plan is that the station won't be permanently manned, this seems like a downgrade from ISS or even MIR.I don't understand what Russia is hoping to accomplish with ISS withdrawal, it seems like even their most optimistic scenarios would leave their capabilities diminished.
To be fair, NASA plans to ditch ISS not long after 2025 and handover LEO to commercial space stations, so it's not crazy for Russia to start planning for a post-ISS future. It's safe to say the Russians don't want to buy seats on US commercial stations, and the Chinese gave them the cold shoulder, this doesn't leave them a lot of choices.
Barely has ROSS been officially announced, or we're already seeing two different configurations of the station in RKK Energiya slides circulating on the web. Considering the dozens of changes that the ISS Russian segment went through since its inception, this is probably just the beginning of another long evolutionary path.In version 1 (see attachment) we see the following elements:-base module-node module-airlock module-logistics module-production module-servicing platform-commercial moduleVersion 2 (see attachment) consists of the following elements:-scientific power module (NEM) (phase 1)-base module (phase 1)-node module (phase 1)-airlock module (phase 1)-logistics module (phase 2)-production module (phase 2)-servicing platform (phase 2)-special-purpose module (phase 2)Version 1 is seen in this article published about two weeks ago:https://severnymayak.ru/2021/04/21/v-rkk-energiya-pokazali-kak-mogut-vyglyadet-moduli-novoj-rossijskoj-kosmicheskoj-stancii/The slides seem to come from the RIA Novosti news agency, but they do have the RKK Energiya logo. Version 2 is seen in a recent presentation by Vladimir Solovyov at a meeting of the Academy of Sciences and in a recent TV report aired from RKK Energiya. I presume this is now considered the “prime” version. I’ve also attached slides of most of the individual modules:SCIENTIFIC POWER MODULE (NEM) / BASE MODULE-to be launched by Angara-A5 from Plesetsk or Vostochnyy- they look identical and have the same functions (the most important ones being power supply and provision of crew quarters). In version 2, NEM is described as the first element and needed “to ensure control of the station until the arrival of the base module”. Presumably, the second, nearly identical module is needed to increase crew capacity and power supply. AIRLOCK MODULE:-to be delivered by a Progress-M-UM tug launched by Soyuz-2.1b from either Plesetsk or Vostochnyy-provides EVA capabilityLOGISTICS MODULE:-two versions are proposed, one based on the NEM design (requiring launch by an Angara-A5 from Plesetsk or Vostochnyy) and the other a smaller vehicle with an inflatable cargo section (delivered by a Progress tug launched by Soyuz-2.1b from Plesetsk or Vostochnyy)-to be used for storage of equipment and supplies. The bigger version can house “payloads for free-flying satellites” and “large structures to be assembled on the outer surface of the station”. The smaller inflatable version could house equipment needed for physical exercises.PRODUCTION MODULE:-based on the NEM design and launched by Angara-A5 from Plesetsk or Vostochnyy-among its functions are assembly of satellites, production of various parts using a 3D printer, production of materials that cannot be obtained in gravity conditions, remote sensing (both an optical telescope and a radar are seen mounted on the outside of the module)SERVICING PLATFORM:-to be delivered by a Progress-M-UM tug launched by Angara-A5 from Plesetsk or Vostochnyy-to be used for servicing of satellites (replacement and repair of components, refueling satellites with UDMH, N2O4, xenon, helium and krypton, recharging satellites using the energy resources of the base module) , launch of small satellites, assembly of large structures such as antennas, telescopes and mirrors, station attitude control using control moment gyroscopesCOMMERCIAL MODULE:-based on the NEM design and to be launched by Angara-A5 from Vostochnyy-will provide comfortable living quarters for “spaceflight participants” (that is tourists) and will also house commercial experiments. The “commercial module” in version 1 may be the same module that is described as the “special-purpose module” in version 2.
There are several proposed configurations with optional modules and external platforms on the table. Anatoly Zak goes into details on his site. The two variants shown were shown in recent meeting to a military oversight commission.http://russianspaceweb.com/ros.html some links inside require a subscription at this time.
